• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2007

Background: Cordyceps militaris have been reported to modify the immune and inflammatory responses both in vivo and in vitro. Macrophages play important roles in the innate immunity through the phagocytosis of antigens. This study examined the effects of Cordyceps militaris on the activation of murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells and primary macrophages. Methods: The components contained in culture broth of Cordyceps militaris were purified by propyl alcohol extraction and HP 20 column chromatography to CMDB, CMDBW, CMDB5P, and CMDB25P. The amounts of nitric oxide (NO) were determined by using ELISA, Griess reagent respectively. The amounts of some cytokines were determined by using ELISA, western blot, and RT-PCR The expression levels of cell surface molecules (ICAM-1, B7-1 and B7-2) were measured by flow cytometric analysis. Results: All the components of Cordyceps militaris produced significant amounts of NO. In particular, CMDB produced much more NO in RAW 264.7 cells and primary macrophages than other fractions of Cordyceps militaris. CMDB increased significantly the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-1${\beta}$, and IL-6 dose-dependently in RAW 264.7 cells. Examination of the gene expression level also showed that the enhanced production of cytokines was correlated with the up-regulation of i-NOS expression, cycloxygenase (COX)-2 expression, IL-1${\beta}$ and IL-6 expression, and TNF-${\alpha}$ expression on the expression of mRNAs by semi-quantitative RT-PCR Western blot analysis also confirmed that CMDB enhances the expression level of these cytokines. Conclusion: These results show that CMDB stimulates the production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines and can also up-regulate the gene expression levels in macrophages.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.49-69
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• 2011

Objective : The object of this study was to observe the effects of Lonicerae Flos (LF) aqueous extracts on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat acute lung injury. Method : Five different dosages of LF extracts were orally administered once a day for 28 days before LPS treatments, and then all rats were sacrificed after 5 hour-treatment of LPS. Eight groups of 16 rats each were used in the present study. The following parameters caused by LPS treatment were observed ; body weights, lung weights, pulmonary transcapillary albumin transit, arterial gas parameters (pH, $PaO_2$ and $PaCO_2$) bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) protein lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) contents, total cell numbers, neutrophil and alveolar macrophage ratios, lung malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), proinflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents. In addition, the histopathologic changes were observed in the lung in terms of luminal surface of alveolus, thickness of alveolar septum, number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Result : As results of LPS-injection, dramatical increases in lung weights, pulmonary transcapillary albumin transit increases, increases in $PaCO_2$, decreases in pH of arterial blood and $PaO_2$, increases of BALF protein, LDH, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents, total cells, neutrophil and alveolar macrophage ratios, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents increases were detected with decreases in LSA and increases of alveolar septum and PMNs numbers, respectively as compared with intact control. These are means that acute lung injuries (resembling acute respiratory distress syndrome) are induced by treatment of LPS mediated by inflammatory responses, oxidative stress and related lipid peroxidation in the present study. However, these LPS-induced acute lung injuries were inhibited by 28 days continuous pretreatment of 250 and 500mg/kg of LF extracts. Because of lower three dosages of LF treated groups, 31.25 and 62.5 and 125mg/kg did not showed any favorable effects as compared with LPS control, the effective dosages of LF in LPS-induced acute lung injuries in the present study, is considered as about 125mg/kg. The effects of 250mg/kg of LF extracts showed almost similar effects with ${\alpha}$-lipoic acid 60mg/kg in preventing LPS-induced acute lung injuries. Conclusion : It seems that LF play a role in protecting the acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by LPS.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.406-420
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• 2012

Objectives : Scutellaria barbata has been widely used in oriental medicine used for treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. In this study, to investigate the protective effect of Scutellaria barbata on type I allergic response, we determined whether Scutellaria barbata inhibits early or late allergic responses. Methods : To assess the effect of Scutellaria barbata Pharmacopuncture Extract(SB) in RBL-2H3 cells, we investigated the levels of the markers of degranulation such as ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase and histamine, inflammatory mediator such as IL-4, TNF-${\alpha}$, PGE2 and cysLT, and mRNA expression of cytokines and enzymes. In addition, we determined the levels of intracellular ROS by DCFH-DA assay and the free radical scavenging activity by DPPH method. Results : We found that SB suppressed the release of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase and histamine and the production of IL-4, TNF-${\alpha}$, PGE2 and cysLT in RBL-2H3 by the antigen stimulation. SB also significantly inhibited the enzyme mRNA expressions, such as HDC2, COX-1, COX-2, 5-LOX and iNOS2, along with reduced cytokine mRNA expressions, such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$ and GM-CSF in RBL-2H3. In addition, SB suppressed the levels of intracellular ROS. Conclusions : Our results indicate that SB protects against type I allergic response and exert an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of degranulation, inflammatory mediator release and mRNA expression of cytokines and enzymes.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.69-81
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• 2008

Objective : The purpose of this study was find out the anti-allergic effects of SESHINGO on the allergic rhinitis. Methods : Cell viability was evaluated by the MTT assay. Cells were treated with the indicated concentration of SSG. $TNF-\alpha$ concentration was measured from cell supernatants using ELISA method. IL-4 concentration was measured from cell supernatants using ELISA method.$IFN-\gamma$ concentration was measured from cell supernatants using ELISA method. Total RNA was isolated, $TNF-\alpha$ and IL-4 mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR analysis Total RNA was isolated, COX-1, COX-2 mRNA was analyzed by RT-PCR analysis. Results : 1. $\beta$-hexosaminidase release in RBL-2H3 cells were decresed by SESHINGO attentively. 2. Secreting ration of $TNF-\alpha$was restrained in RBL-2H3 cells by SESHINGO attentively. 3. Secreting ration of IL-4 was restrained in RBL-2H3 cells by SESHINGO attentively 4. Revelation of $TNF-\alpha$ mRNA was decresed in RBL-2H3 cells as concetration. 5. Revelation of.IL-4 mRNA was decresed in RBL-2H3 cells as concetration. 6. Revelation of COX-2 mRNA was decresed in RBL-2H3 cells. Conclusion : According to above results, to evaluate the effect of SSG on the anti-allergic effects.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.60-69
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• 2013

The worldwide prevalence and severity of allergic diseases including atopic and contact dermatitis has increased dramatically over the past decade, especially in developed countries. Mast cells are important effector cells in allergic reactions. The purpose of this study was undertaken to investigate the anti-allergic and anti-pruritic effects of Diospyros lotus leaf extract (DLE). DLE was prepared by extracting with distilled water. In the present study, we investigated the effect of DLE on the production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\alpha}$) and histamine in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs), and on the skin lesion, leukocyte infiltration and scratching behavior in mice. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187 significantly increased TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ production compared with media control. However, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 production increased by PMA plus A23187 treatment were significantly inhibited by DLE in a dose-dependent manner. DLE also inhibited the histamine release from RPMCs stimulated by compound 48/80, which promotes histamine release. Moreover, DLE administration had an inhibitory effects on the scratching behavior induced by pruritogen (compound 48/80, histamine) in ICR mice. Furthermore, DLE inhibited the skin lesions, inflammatory and mast cells in hairless mice sensitized by 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). DLE administration reduced the IL-4 and IgE production induced by DNFB sensitization in hairless mice. These results suggest that DLE has a potential use as a herb medicine for treatment against allergy and pruritus-related disease.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.242-245
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• 2005

The most common feature of neurodegenerative disease (i.e. Alzheimer's disease, AD) is the increased number of activated microglial cells nearby the pathogenic area of the brain, such as amyloid plaque in AD. An abnormality of protein regulation and an imbalance of clearance against ${\beta}-amyloid\;(A{\beta})$ produced amyloid precursor protein (APP) can turn microglia into the activated feature out of the ramified resting phase. We examined the possibility that ginsenoside Rb1 could attenuate the microglial activation induced by massive $A{\beta}$ that has known to induce a chronic inflammation, which is a major cause of AD by damaging neuronal cells (i.e. apoptosis or necrosis). Aggregated $A{\beta}42\;(5\;{\mu}M)$ peptide was used with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) ($10\;{\mu}g$) for a comparative control up to 48hours. We found that Rb1 reduced the production of nitric oxide as well as proinflammatory cytokines, such as $IL-1{\beta}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.81-96
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• 2005

This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of Dichroa febrifuga(DIF) on the Alzheimer’s disease. The effects of DIF extract on $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA of THP-1 cell treated by $A{\beta}$ plus LPS and amyloid precursor proteins(APP), acetylcholinesterase(AChE), glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) mRNA of PC-12 cell treated by $A{\beta}$ plus $rIL-1{\beta}$ and AChE activity of PC-12 cell lysate treated by $A{\beta}$ plus $rIL-1{\beta}$ and behavior of memory deficit mice induced by scopolamine and mice glucose, uric acid, AChE activity of memory deficit rats induced by scopolamine were investigated, respectively. The results were summarized as follows ; 1. DIF extract suppressed APP, AChE, GFAP mRNA in PC-12 cell treated by $A{\beta}$. 2. DIF extract suppressed $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA in THP-1 cell treated by LPS. 3. DIF extract suppressed AChE activity in cell lysate of PC-12 cell treated by $A{\beta}$. 4. DIF extract increased glucose, decreased uric acid and AChE significantly in the serum of the memory deficit rats induced by scopolamine. 5. DIF extract group showed significantly inhibitory effect on the memory deficit of mice induced by scopolamine in the experiment of Morris water maze. According to the above results, it is suggested that DIF extract might be usefully applied for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and memory deficit.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.37 no.4 s.147
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• pp.314-319
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• 2006

This research was investigated the effect of the Ginseng Radix plus Crataegi Fructus (Gin-CF) on Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, the effects of the Gin-CF extract on $IL-1\beta,\;TNF-\alpha$ of BV2 microglia cell line treated with LPS. The Gin-CF extract suppressed the over-expression of $IL-1\beta$ protein, $TNF-\alpha$ protein, MDA, and CD68/CD11b, in the mice with Alzheimer's disease induced by ${\beta}A$. These results suggest that the Gin-CF extract may be effective for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Investigation into the clinical use of the Gin-CF extract for Alzheimer's disease is suggested for future research.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to determine the concentrations of cytokines in ACL deficient knee, the changes of cytokines from injury as the time progressed, and changes of cytokines after ACL reconstruction. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five patients with ACL-injured knee were enrolled. Synovial fluid lavages were collected at the time of surgery. Before surgery, twenty-five patients were aspirated synovial fluid from their injured and uninjured knees. Twelve patients were aspirated synovial fluid after 9 months postoperatively. The samples were analysed for $IL-1{\beta},\;TNF-{\alpha}$, MMP-3, IL-6 and TIMP-1 using ELISA. Results: The $IL-1{\beta}\;and\;TNF-{\alpha}$ concentrations were below detectable ranges in all uninjured knees and ACL ruptured knees. There were no significant difference between the mean concentrations of the uninjured and ACL injured knees for TIMP-1 and IL-6. The mean concentration of MMP-3 in ACL injured knees was significantly higher than in the uninjured knees. In the 12 cases after 9 months postoperatively, the mean concentration of MMP-3 was no significant difference between preoperative cytokine levels. Conclusion: The concentration of MMP-3 was only higher in the ACL injured knee than uninjured knee and no significant change was examined after 9 months postoperatively.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.114-120
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• 2014

Zizyphus jujube leaf fractions (ZLFs) showed no cytotoxic effects of up to $100{\mu}g/mL$, while the anti-inflammatory effects of ZLFs were analyzed by checking the productions of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw264.7 macrophage up to the concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$. ZLFs ($100{\mu}g/mL$) demonstrated a strong anti-inflammatory activity that reduced 61~85% of NO and 71~100% of $PGE_2$ production in the LPS-stimulated Raw264.7 macrophage. Even the low ZLFs concentration of $1{\mu}g/mL$ have reduced NO and $PGE_2$ production by 34~64%. Expressions of COX-2 protein were also effectively inhibited by the ZLFs. Furthermore, the TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 production were significantly suppressed through the treatment of ZLFs at concentrations of 1, 10, and $100{\mu}g/mL$. In the order of the Zizyphus jujube leaf water fraction (ZLWF) < buthanol fraction (ZLBF) < ethyl acetate fraction (ZLEF) showed anti-inflammatory activity. In particular, the ethyl acetate fraction ZLEF at $100{\mu}g/mL$ showed an excellent anti-inflammatory activity by reducing the production of NO, $PGE_2$, COX-2, and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6) in the level of Raw264.7 macrophage without LPS-stimulation or even better. The results of our study suggest the potential of ZLEF for use as an excellent ant-inflammatory inhibiting mediator and may be used as a therapeutic approach to various inflammatory diseases.